Liquid crystal display device with phase difference plate having particular Δnxd perpendicular to surface over Δnxd at 45° angle to surface

ABSTRACT

A liquid crystal display device having a phase difference plate and a reflector, which is capable of providing a bright display. When the value of the ratio K of the product Δn1·d1, where Δn1 is the optical anisotropy and d1 is the thickness in the vertical direction of the phase difference plate to the product Δn2·d2, where Δn2 is the optical anisotropy and d2 is the thickness of the phase difference plate when inclined at 45° from the vertical direction of the phase difference plate in the direction of the optical axis, is in the range of K≧1.20, the optical axis of the phase difference plate is disposed at an angle in the range of from about +30° to about +60° or in the range of from about -30° to about -60° with respect to the direction of observation, where the values of angles are positive when measured clockwise from the observation direction, whereas, when K&lt;1.20, the optical axis of the phase difference plate is disposed at an angle in the range of from about +30° to +120° with respect to the observation direction.

This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/226,187filed Apr. 11, 1994, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,426,524, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/009,848 filed Jan.27, 1993, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,303,075, which is a continuation-in-partof U.S. patent application No. 07/683,419 filed Apr. 9, 1991, now U.S.Pat. No. 5,212,819.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a liquid crystal display device, andmore particularly, to a liquid crystal display device having a reflectorand which provides a display with improved brightness.

Super twisted nematic (STN) liquid crystal display devices including auniaxial anisotropic member (an oriented high molecular weight polymersheet) between the polarizers of the device have been proposed toimprove the display contrast. An example of such a liquid crystaldisplay device 10 with a uniaxial optically anisotropic member 12 isshown in FIG. 1. Device 10 includes a twisted nematic liquid crystaldisplay cell 13 with an upper linear polarizer 11 and a lower polarizer14 on the outer surfaces of cell 13 and optically anisotropic layer 12.Display cell 13 includes an upper substrate 15 and lower substrate 16with transparent electrodes 17 and 18 disposed on the inner surfaces anda twisted nematic liquid crystal material 19 therebetween. A spacer 22holds substrates 15 and 16 apart and liquid crystal material 19therebetween. Liquid crystal material 19 is twist oriented by rubbingthe interior surfaces of substrates 15 and 16. Device 10 would normallybe back lit.

FIG. 2 shows the relationship between the axes of these elements. InFIG. 2, R15 and R16 designate the rubbing directions of upper substrate15 and lower substrate 16. Angle T2 designates the direction and angleof twist of the liquid crystal molecules in material 19 from uppersubstrate 15 to lower substrate 16. P11 and P14 designate the directionsof the axes of polarization of upper polarizer 11 and lower polarizer14, respectfully. A line A-A' identifies the direction of observation ofdevice 10. θ₄₅ is the angle between direction of observation A-A' andrubbing direction R15 of upper substrate 15 and θ₄₆ is the angle betweendirection of observation A-A' and rubbing direction R16 of lowersubstrate 16. θ₄₅ and θ₄₆ are approximately equal to each other. Device10 is described in detail in applicant's U.S. Pat. No. 4,844,569, thecontents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

In device 10, the retardation value of optically anisotropic member 12and the relationship between the axes are set for use in an STN displaymode in order to improve the contrast and allow for a black-and-whitedisplay. While this arrangement has improved contrast and achievednearly a full black and white display compared to ordinary STN devices,viewing angle characteristics were not considered.

FIG. 11 is an alternative embodiment of a STN liquid crystal deviceincluding a phase difference plate between two polarizing plates toimprove the contrast of the liquid crystal device, but including areflector, rather than being intended to be back lit.

In a preferred embodiment of the instant invention, the STN liquidcrystal material 145 of FIG. 11 is selected so that the liquid crystalmolecules are homogeneously aligned so as to provide a helical structurehaving a twist angle of 180° to 270° and so that the layer of STN liquidcrystal material has positive dielectric anisotropy. In FIG. 11, the STNliquid crystal material 145 is sealed between the gap defined by glasssubstrates 143 and 147. Upper and lower polarizing plates 141 and 148are respectively disposed on the upper surface of the phase differenceplate 142 and the lower surface of the lower glass substrate 147. Phasedifference plate 142 is an optically anisotropic member. In additionreflector 149, which is formed of a high reflectance material, forexample aluminum, is provided on the lower surface of lower polarizingplate 148.

In the past, because these phase difference plates are costly, the mostefficient method for cutting them from stock is usually used. This mostefficient cutting method is to have the direction of the optical axis ofthe phase difference plate to be either coincident with or perpendicularto the direction in which the device is normally viewed (observationdirection) when the plate is cut from stock. As used herein, theobservation direction is a direction in the plane of the display screendefined by the liquid crystal display cell formed by the substrates andliquid crystal material. The rubbing directions and the directions ofthe absorption axes of the set of polarizing plates are thenconventionally determined by taking into consideration the colors andcontrasts.

The conventional liquid crystal display devices which, utilize a phasedifference plate having the optical axis coincident with orperpendicular to the direction in which the device is normally viewed,and a reflector, have an unfavorably low display brightness.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a liquid crystal display devicewith a reflector which has increased brightness by choosing thedirection of the optical axis of the phase difference plate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Generally speaking, in accordance with the invention, a liquid crystaldisplay device including a liquid crystal display cell having a nematicliquid crystal material disposed between a pair of substrates which inturn are disposed between a pair of polarizing plates is provided. Anoptically anisotropic member (phase difference plate) is insertedbetween the liquid crystal display cell and one of the polarizingplates.

The value of the ratio K of the product Δn1·d1, where Δn1 is the opticalanisotropy and d1 is the thickness in the vertical direction of thephase difference plate, to the product Δn2·d2, wherein Δn2 is theoptical anisotropy and d2 is the thickness of the phase difference platewhen inclined at 45° from the vertical direction of the phase differenceplate in the direction of the optical axis, is set at a predeterminedlevel, and the optical axis of the phase difference plate is disposed ata predetermined angle with respect to the observation direction, theobservation direction being both in the plane of the display screen andsubstantially perpendicular to the rear edge thereof, the observationdirection being the direction of the projection in the plane of thedisplay screen of the direction from which a user of the display devicemost frequently views said display screen, the predetermined angle beingchosen such that the reflectance of said display is substantiallymaximized.

The nematic liquid crystal layer has a positive dielectric anisotropyand is preferably retained between the substrates such that the liquidcrystal molecules are homogeneously aligned so as to provide a helicalstructure having a twist angle of 180° to 270°.

In a preferred embodiment, when the value of K is greater than or equalto 1.20, the predetermined angle at which the optical axis of the phasedifference plate is disposed with respect to the observation directionis in the range from about +30° to about +60° or in the range from about-30° to about -60°, where the values of these angles are positive whenmeasured clockwise from the observation direction.

In another embodiment, when the value of K is less than 1.20, thepredetermined angle at which the optical axis of the phase differenceplate is disposed with respect to the observation direction is in therange from about +30° to about +120°, where the values of these anglesare positive when measured clockwise from the observation direction.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an improvementliquid crystal display device having improved brightnesscharacteristics.

Another object of this invention is to provide a liquid crystal displaydevice with an optically anisotropic member between a set of polarizersof the device and a reflector capable of providing an improved andsatisfactorily bright display.

Still other objects and advantages of the invention will, in part, beobvious and will, in part, be apparent from the specification.

The invention accordingly comprises the article of manufacturepossessing the features, properties and the relation of elements whichwill be exemplified in the article hereinafter described, and the scopeof the invention will be indicated in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference is had to thefollowing description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a liquid crystal display deviceconstructed and arranged in accordance with the prior art designed to beback lit;

FIG. 2 diagrammatically illustrates the axes of the elements of thedevice of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 diagrammatically illustrates the normal direction of observation;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a liquid crystal display deviceconstructed and arranged in accordance with a first embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 5 diagrammatically illustrates the axes of the elements of thedevice of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 diagrammatically illustrates equal contrast curves for the deviceof FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a liquid crystal display deviceconstrued and arranged in accordance with a second embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 8 diagrammatically illustrates the axes of the elements of thedevice of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a liquid crystal display deviceconstructed and arranged in accordance with a third embodiment of theinvention; and

FIG. 10 diagrammatically illustrates the axes of the elements of thedevice of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a liquid crystal display deviceconstructed and arranged in accordance with the prior art wherein areflector is provided;

FIG. 12 diagrammatically illustrates the positioning of an observer withrespect to a liquid crystal panel which represents the normal directionof observation;

FIG. 13 diagrammatically illustrates the rubbing directions of theliquid crystal panel in a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 diagrammatically illustrates the axes of the elements of thedevice of FIG. 11;

FIG. 15 diagrammatically illustrates the method of measuring thereflectance in the embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21 are graphs showing the relationshipbetween the direction of incident light and the reflectance in theembodiment of the present invention which includes a reflector; and

FIG. 22 is a fragmentary enlarged section of a phase difference plateshowing the thickness d1 and d2 in accordance with the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As used herein, the direction of observation is defined with referenceto FIGS. 3 and 12. The direction of observation is the projection in theplane of the display screen 53 of the direction from which the displayscreen is viewed most frequently during use of the liquid crystaldisplay 40. Ordinarily, it coincides with the direction A-A'perpendicular to the lengthwise direction and rear edge 54 of therectangular display 40. In other words, the observation direction asused herein is the direction in the plane of the liquid crystal screen53 that extends from the user to the device 40 along which a projectionin said plane of the user's most frequent line of sight would lie. Asused herein and as shown in FIG. 3, α designates the viewing anglebetween the direction OC perpendicular to the plane of the displayscreen and the direction of viewing OD, and β designates the projectedviewing angle between the direction of observation and the projecteddirection of viewing OD' on the plane of display screen 53.

It was desired to achieve display viewing angle characteristics suchthat the viewing angles on the front left side and front right side withrespect to the direction of observation are approximately equal to eachother, and that the ranges of viewing angles are generally uniform inthe horizontal direction. An examination was made as to the effect onviewing angle characteristics of the directions of the polarization axesof the polarizing plates, the directions of axes including the rubbingdirections of the liquid crystal cell, and the angles between the axes.This examination was made by using equal-contrast curves (therelationship between values of angles α and β shown in FIG. 3 at which acertain contrast is obtained). It was found that the direction of thecenter line on which equal-contrast curves are generally symmetricapproximately coincides with the direction of the optical axis of theoptically anisotropic member.

To achieve improved viewing angle characteristics in the liquid crystaldisplay device in accordance with the invention, the angle between theobservation direction A-A' and the direction of the optical axis of thephase difference plate is preferably between about 0°-30° or 60°-90°.

A liquid crystal display device 40 constructed and arranged inaccordance with the invention is shown in FIG. 4. Device 40 includes aliquid crystal display cell 43 and a phase difference plate 42 disposedbetween an upper linear polarizer 41 and a lower polarizer 44. Phasedifference plate 42 is a uniaxially-oriented polycarbonate member usedas an optically anisotropic layer.

Phase difference plate 42 need not be limited to uniaxially-orientedpolycarbonate. For instance, phase difference plate 42 may be formed byuniaxially stretching a material selected from, but not limited to,monomers or polymers of diacetyl cellulose, polyamide, polyimide,polyether sulfone, polysulfone, polyolefin, polyethylene, polyethyleneterephthalate, polyvinyl alcohol, acryl, and polymethyl methacrylate.

FIG. 4 schematically shows a cross-sectional view of the structure oftwisted nematic liquid crystal device 40 having a single layer 42 of anoptically anisotropic substance. A liquid crystal cell 43 and layer 42are disposed between an upper polarizer 41 and a lower polarizer 44.Cell 43 includes a twisted nematic liquid crystal material 49 disposedbetween an upper substrate 45 and lower substrate 46 with transparentelectrodes 47 and 48 disposed on the interior surfaces, respectively.

Nematic liquid crystal material 49 is twist-oriented by rubbing theinterior surfaces of substrates 45 and 46. Although liquid crystalmaterial 49 can be oriented other than by rubbing, for convenience ofdescription the direction in which the major axes of liquid crystalmaterial 49 adjacent to substrates 45 and 46 will hereinafter bereferred to as "rubbing direction". Spacer 52 serves to hold substrates45 and 46 apart and retains liquid crystal material 49 in cell 43.Spacing maintaining members such as glass fibers or glass balls may bedispersed between substrates 45 and 46 to maintain the thickness ofliquid crystal material 49.

The relationship between the axes of polarizers 41 and 44, phasedifference plate 42 and cell 43 are shown in FIG. 5. The rubbingdirections of upper substrate 45, lower substrate 46 and phasedifference plate 42 are denoted by R45, R46 and R42, respectively. Thepolarizing axes (absorption axes) of linear polarizers 41 and 44 aredenoted by P41 and P44, respectively. Line A-A' represents the normal orusual direction of observation of device 40.

The direction and angle of twisting of liquid crystal material 49 inliquid crystal cell 43 as viewed in FIG. 4 from above to below isdesignated as T. θ₁ is the angle between observation direction A-A' anddirection P41 of the polarization axis of upper polarizing plate 41; θ₂is the angle between the observation direction A-A' and direction P44 ofthe polarization axis of lower polarizing plate 44; θ₃ is the anglebetween the observation direction A-A' and the direction R42 of theoptical axis of the phase difference plate 42; and θ₄ is the anglebetween the observation direction A-A' and the rubbing direction R45 ofupper substrate 45. The values of angles θ₁ through θ₄ are positive whenmeasured clockwise from the observation direction A-A'.

This embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 will be described withrespect to a negative display mode and the orientation of thepolarization axes illustrated. In this mode the screen is dark when novoltage is applied and bright when a voltage is applied. However, it isobserved that the same benefits of the invention can be obtained forother orientations as in a positive display mode. In this positivedisplay mode the screen is bright when no voltage is applied, or darkwhen a voltage is applied. The refractive index anisotropy Δn of phasedifference plate 42 is defined as Δnf, and the thickness of plate 42 isdefined as df.

When a structure as shown in FIG. 4 has the product Δn·d of therefractive index anisotropy Δn of liquid crystal material 49 and aliquid crystal layer thickness of 0.9 μm, liquid crystal 49 is twistedby angle T of 240°; the product Δnf·df of the refractive indexanisotropy Δnf and the thickness df of phase difference plate 42 is 0.55μm, θ₁ =-45°, θ₂ =-15°, θ₃ =0° and θ₄ =90°. Equal-contrast curves suchas those shown in FIG. 6 are obtained. These curves are symmetric withrespect to normal observation direction A-A' of device 40 and device 40is easy to view under these conditions.

The parameters defined above are set forth in Table 1, Examples 1-10 andComparative Examples 1-3. The resulting display contrast, dependent onwhether the contrast curves were generally symmetrical with respect tothe direction of observation, is also set forth. The symbols ⊚, ∘, and xare used to indicate whether the display is very easy to see (⊚), good(∘), or poor (x).

                                      TABLE 1                                     __________________________________________________________________________            Δn · d of                                                           Δnf · df of                                       Twisting                                                                              liquid                                                                             phase differ-      Contrast                                      Angle T crystal                                                                            ence plate                                                                           θ1                                                                         θ2                                                                         θ3                                                                         θ4                                                                         symmetry                                      __________________________________________________________________________    1 240° left                                                                    0.90 μm                                                                         0.55 μm                                                                           -45°                                                                      -15°                                                                      0°                                                                        90°                                                                       ⊚                              2 "     "    "      -30°                                                                      0°                                                                        15°                                                                       -75°                                                                      ⊚                              3 "     "    "      -15°                                                                      15°                                                                       30°                                                                       -60°                                                                      ∘                                 4 "     "    "      -75°                                                                      -45°                                                                      -30°                                                                      60°                                                                       ∘                                 5 "     0.85 μm                                                                         0.60 μm                                                                           -45°                                                                      -15°                                                                      0°                                                                        80°                                                                       ⊚                              6 "     "    "      -40°                                                                      -15°                                                                      10°                                                                       90°                                                                       ⊚                              7 "     0.80 μm                                                                         0.55 μm                                                                           -45°                                                                      -15°                                                                      0°                                                                        90°                                                                       ⊚                              8 180° left                                                                    0.85 μm                                                                         0.55 μm                                                                           -45°                                                                      -40°                                                                      0°                                                                        90°                                                                       ⊚                              9 230° left                                                                    0.85 μm                                                                         0.55 μm                                                                           -50°                                                                      -5°                                                                       0°                                                                        75°                                                                       ⊚                              10                                                                              "     "    "      -70°                                                                      -25°                                                                      -20°                                                                      55°                                                                       ∘                                 1 240° left                                                                    0.90 μm                                                                         0.55 μm                                                                           -10°                                                                      20°                                                                       35°                                                                       -55°                                                                      X                                             2 "     "    "      -80°                                                                      -40°                                                                      -35°                                                                      55°                                                                       X                                             3 230° left                                                                    0.85 μm                                                                         0.55 μm                                                                           -85°                                                                      -40°                                                                      -35°                                                                      40°                                                                       X                                             __________________________________________________________________________

As can be seen from Table 1, when the angle between the direction of theoptical axis of the phase difference plate and the direction ofobservation is between about 0° and 30°, a display is obtained which iseasy to see and in which the contrast distribution is generallysymmetric with respect to the direction of observation.

Examples 11 to 20 are display devices in which the axis of symmetry ismore perpendicular to the direction of observation. The results ofExamples 11 to 20, as well as Comparative Examples 4 to 6, are shown inTable 2 below. The symbols ⊚, ∘, and x are used to indicate whether thecontrast curves are generally symmetrical with respect to a center lineperpendicular to the direction of observation. ⊚ indicates that theresult is very good, ∘ indicates good, and x indicates poor.

                                      TABLE 2                                     __________________________________________________________________________            Δn · d of                                                           Δnf · df of                                       Twisting                                                                              liquid                                                                             phase differ-      Contrast                                      Angle T crystal                                                                            ence plate                                                                           θ1                                                                         θ2                                                                         θ3                                                                         θ4                                                                         symmetry                                      __________________________________________________________________________    11                                                                              240° left                                                                    0.90 μm                                                                         0.55 μm                                                                           45°                                                                       75°                                                                       90°                                                                       0°                                                                        ⊚                              12                                                                              "     "           60°                                                                       90°                                                                       -75°                                                                      15°                                                                       ⊚                              13                                                                              "     "    "      75°                                                                       15°                                                                       -60°                                                                      30°                                                                       ∘                                 14                                                                              "     "    "      15°                                                                       45°                                                                       60°                                                                       -30°                                                                      ∘                                 15                                                                              "     0.85 μm                                                                         0.60 μm                                                                           45°                                                                       75°                                                                       90°                                                                       -10°                                                                      ⊚                              16                                                                              "     "    "      50°                                                                       75°                                                                       -80°                                                                      0°                                                                        ⊚                              17                                                                              "     0.80 μm                                                                         0.55 μm                                                                           45°                                                                       75°                                                                       90°                                                                       0°                                                                        ⊚                              18                                                                              180° left                                                                    0.85 μm                                                                         0.55 μm                                                                           45°                                                                       -50°                                                                      90°                                                                       0°                                                                        ⊚                              19                                                                              230° left                                                                    0.85 μm                                                                         0.55 μm                                                                           40°                                                                       85°                                                                       90°                                                                       -15°                                                                      ⊚                              20                                                                              "     "    "      20°                                                                       75°                                                                       70°                                                                       -35°                                                                      ∘                                 4 240° left                                                                    0.90 μm                                                                         0.55 μm                                                                           80°                                                                       -20°                                                                      -55°                                                                      -35°                                                                      X                                             5 "     "    "      10°                                                                       50°                                                                       55°                                                                       -35°                                                                      X                                             6 230° left                                                                    0.85 μm                                                                         0.55 μm                                                                           5°                                                                        40°                                                                       55°                                                                       -50°                                                                      X                                             __________________________________________________________________________

As can be seen from Table 2, when the angle between the direction of theoptical axis of the phase difference plate and the direction ofobservation is between about 60° and 90°, a display is obtained which isalso easy to see and in which the contrast distribution is generallysymmetric with respect to a line perpendicular to the direction ofobservation.

A liquid crystal display device 70 constructed and arranged inaccordance with a second embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 7.Device 70 includes a twisted nematic liquid crystal cell 33 and twophase difference plates 72a and 72b. Phase difference plate 72a isadjacent liquid crystal cell 73 while phase difference plate 72b isadjacent upper linear polarizer 71. Cell 73 includes a twisted nematicliquid crystal material 79 disposed between an upper substrate 75 andlower substrate 76 with transparent electrodes 77 and 78 disposed on theinner surfaces thereof. A spacer 82 holds substrates 75 and 76 apart andretains liquid crystal material 79 in the cell.

The optical relationships between the axes of polarizers 71 and 74,phase difference plates 72a and 72b, and liquid crystal cell 73 areshown in FIG. 8. The rubbing directions of upper substrate 75, lowersubstrate 76, and phase difference plates 72 and 72b are denoted by R75,R76, R72a and R72, respectively. The polarizing axes (absorption axes)of linear polarizers 71 and 74 are denoted by P71 and P74, respectively.Line A-A' represents the direction of observation.

The direction and angle of twisting of liquid crystal material 79 inliquid crystal cell 73 as viewed in FIG. 7 from above to below isdesignated as T. The angle between the observation direction A-A' anddirection P71 of the polarization axis of upper polarizing plate 77 isdesignated as θ₁. Similarly, the angle between the observation directionA-A' and direction P74 of the polarization axis of lower polarizingplate 74 is designated as θ₂. The angle between the observationdirection A-A' and the direction R72a of the optical axis of the phasedifference plate 72a is designated θ_(83a). Similarly, the angle betweenthe observation direction A-A' and the direction R72b of the opticalaxis of the phase difference plate 72b is designated θ83b. The anglebetween the observation direction A-A' and the rubbing direction R75 ofupper substrate 75 is designated as θ₄.

A liquid crystal display device was assembled having the construction ofdevice 70 with the following parameters:

1. liquid crystal material 79 has a counterclockwise twisting angle ofT=240°;

2. Δn·d=0.90 μm;

3. Δnf·df for phase difference plate 72a is 0.40 μm;

4. Δnf·df for phase difference plate 72b is 0.45 μm;

5. θ₁ =-20°;

6. θ₂ =70°;

7. θ_(83a) =0°;

8. θ_(83b) =50°; and

9. θ₄ =-80°.

The parameters for Example 21 are set forth in Table 3 below, as are theparameters for a further Example 22.

                                      TABLE 3                                     __________________________________________________________________________                Δnf · df of                                                         Δnf · df of                                               phase                                                                              phase                                                               Δn · d of                                                           difference                                                                         difference                                                   Twisting                                                                             liquid                                                                             plate                                                                              plate               Contrast                                 Angle T                                                                              crystal                                                                            73a  73b  θ1                                                                         θ2                                                                         θ83a                                                                       θ73b                                                                       θ4                                                                         symmetry                                 __________________________________________________________________________    21                                                                              240° left                                                                   0.90 μm                                                                         0.40 μm                                                                         0.45 μm                                                                         -20°                                                                      70°                                                                       0°                                                                        50°                                                                       -80°                                                                      ⊚                         22                                                                              240° left                                                                   0.90 μm                                                                         0.42 μm                                                                         0.42 μm                                                                         0°                                                                        90°                                                                       30°                                                                       70°                                                                       -70°                                                                      ∘                            __________________________________________________________________________

The equal-contrast curves of Examples 21 and 22 are symmetric withrespect to the direction of the liquid crystal cell, and the display iseasy see under these conditions. However, the degree of symmetry ofequal-contrast curves is slightly lower in Example 22 than in Example21.

A liquid crystal display device 90 constructed and arranged inaccordance with a third embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 9.Device 90 includes twisted nematic liquid crystal cell 93 disposedbetween two phase difference plates 92a and 92b. Phase difference plate92a is between liquid crystal cell 93 and upper linear polarizer 91 andphase difference plate 92b is between liquid crystal cell 93 and lowerlinear polarizer 94. Cell 93 includes a twisted nematic liquid crystalmaterial 99 disposed between an upper substrate 95 and lower substrate96 with transparent electrodes 97 and 98 disposed on the inner surfacesthereof. Spacer 102 holds substrates 95 and 96 apart and retains liquidcrystal material 99 therebetween.

The optical relationships of the axes of polarizers 91 and 94, phasedifference plates 92a and 92b, and cell 93 are shown in FIG. 10. Therubbing directions of upper substrate 95, lower substrate 96, and phasedifference plates 92 and 92b are denoted by R95, R96, R92a and R92,respectively. The polarizing axes (absorption axes) of linear polarizers91 and 94 are denoted by P91 and P94, respectively. Line A-A'representsthe direction of observation.

The direction and angle of twisting of liquid crystal material 99 inliquid crystal cell 93 as viewed in FIG. 9 from above to below isdesignated as T. θ₁ is the angle between observation direction A-A' anddirection P91 of the polarization axis of upper polarizing plate 91.Similarly, θ₂ is the angle between observation direction A-A' anddirection P94 of the polarization axis of lower polarizing plate 94.θ_(103a) is the angle between observation direction A-A' and thedirection R92a of the optical axis of the phase difference plate 92a.Similarly, θ_(103b) is the angle between observation direction A-A' anddirection R92b of the optical axis of phase difference plate 92b. θ₄ isthe angle between observation direction A-A' and the rubbing directionR95 of upper substrate 95.

A liquid crystal display device having the construction of device 90 wasassembled with the following parameters:

1. liquid crystal material 99 has a counterclockwise twisting angle ofT=240°;

2. Δn·d=0.90 μm;

3. Δnf·df of phase difference plate 92a is 0.42 μm;

4. Δnf·df of phase difference plate 92b is 0.42 μm;

5. θ₁ =-10°;

6. θ₂ =-80°;

7. θ_(103a) =30°;

8. θ_(103b) =-30°; and

9. θ₄ =-60°.

The parameters defined above for Example 23 are set forth in Table 4below, as are the parameters for a further Example 24.

                                      TABLE 4                                     __________________________________________________________________________                Δnf · df of                                                         Δnf · df of                                               phase                                                                              phase                                                               Δn · d of                                                           difference                                                                         difference                                                   Twisting                                                                             liquid                                                                             plate                                                                              plate               Contrast                                 Angle T                                                                              crystal                                                                            73a  73b  θ1                                                                         θ2                                                                         θ83a                                                                       θ83b                                                                       θ4                                                                         symmetry                                 __________________________________________________________________________    23                                                                              240° left                                                                   0.90 μm                                                                         0.42 μm                                                                         0.42 μm                                                                         -10°                                                                      -80°                                                                      30°                                                                       -30°                                                                      -60°                                                                      ⊚                         24                                                                              260° left                                                                   0.85 μm                                                                         0.40 μm                                                                         0.40 μm                                                                         0°                                                                        90°                                                                       40°                                                                       -40°                                                                      -50°                                                                      ⊚                         __________________________________________________________________________

The equal-contrast curves of Examples 21 and 22 are symmetric withrespect to the direction of the liquid crystal cell, and the display iseasily viewed under these conditions.

From the Examples, it can be seen that improved viewing anglecharacteristics in the liquid crystal display device are obtained inaccordance with the invention when the direction of the optical axis ofthe phase difference plate is angled to the observation direction,preferably between about 0°-30° or 60°-90°. This is true whether one ortwo phase difference plates are placed between the liquid crystal celland the upper polarizing plate, or if one phase difference plate isplaced between the liquid crystal cell and the upper polarizing plateand another between the liquid crystal cell and the lower polarizingplate. In this manner, a liquid crystal display device is obtained whichhas improved viewing angle characteristics as well as excellent blackand white hues in the display.

In an alternative embodiment, it was desired to achieve a satisfactorilybright display in a liquid crystal display device which includes a phasedifference plate for color compensation and a reflector. In the use of aliquid crystal display device having a reflector, it is common for theobserver to set the brightest light source in the observation directionand the desired result is a display device producing a maximumreflectance under these conditions. Thus, an examination was made as tothe effect on reflectance when the optical axis of the phase differenceplate was varied yet the absorption axis of the upper and lowerpolarizing plates remained constant. A liquid crystal display device ofthe type shown in FIG. 11 was used. FIG. 12 illustrates the observationdirection A-A'. The observation direction as used herein is thedirection in the plane of the display screen 111 of the liquid crystalpanel 130 that extends from the user 113 to the panel 130 along which aprojection in said plane of the user's most frequent line of sight wouldlie. The angles +θ and -θ refer to the angle between the optical axis ofthe phase difference plate and the observation direction. Specifically,when referring to an angle between the optical axis of the phasedifference plate and the observation direction as a positive angle, itis directed in a clockwise direction from the observation direction.Alternatively, a negative angle is directed in a counterclockwisedirection from the observation direction.

FIG. 13 shows the respective rubbing directions 121 and 122 of the twosubstrates of the liquid crystal panel 130 and the twist angle 123 ofthe liquid crystal molecules in the plane of display screen 111.

FIG. 14 shows the relationship between the direction 131 of theabsorption axis of an upper polarizing plate 141, the direction 132 ofthe absorption axis of a lower polarizing plate 148 and the direction ofthe optical axis 133 of a phase difference plate 142 relative to theobservation direction A-A' of the liquid crystal panel 130 in the planeof the display screen 111. θ11, θ12 and θ13 are, respectively, theangles between each of directions 131 and 132 and optical axis 133,relative to the direction A-A'.

FIG. 15 shows the method of carrying out the experiments that led to thepresent invention. Specifically, panel 130 was placed on the measuringtable 151, incident light 152 was applied to display screen 111 at acertain angle from above the panel and the reflectance of the reflectedlight 153 was measured. A standard white card was employed to obtain astandard reflectance. The display screen 111 was then rotatedhorizontally to investigate the relationship between the angle 154formed on display screen 111 between the observation direction A-A' andthe projection of the direction of incident light 152 on the displayscreen 111 versus the reflectance.

One variable in the experiment was the value K, defined as follows:

    K=Δn1·d1 (vertical direction)/Δn2·d2(45° angle)

Where Δn1 is the optical anisotropy and d1 is the thickness, in thevertical direction of the phase difference plate, Δn2 is the opticalanisotropy at a 45° angle in the direction of the optical axis of thephase difference plate and d2 is the thickness of the phase differenceplate when inclined at 45° from the vertical direction of the phasedifference plate in the direction of the optical axis. The thicknessesd1 and d2 are illustrated in FIG. 22. From experimentation, it was alsofound that when the value of K is smaller than 1.20 the direction ofincident light in which a high reflectance is obtained is in the rangefrom about +60° to about +150° with respect to the optical axis of thephase difference plate.

The panel conditions are shown in Table 5 below:

                  TABLE 5                                                         ______________________________________                                        Panel Twist    θ11                                                                             θ12                                                                           θ13                                                                           K     Δn · d of             No.   Angle  °!                                                                        °!                                                                             °!                                                                           °!                                                                           -!   panel  μm!                        ______________________________________                                        1     180      45      45     0    1.37  0.85                                 2     230      70      20    25    "     "                                    3     "        85      "     "     "     "                                    4     "        50      "     "     "     "                                    5     "        70       5    "     "     "                                    6     "        "       35    "     "     "                                    7     "        "       20    40    "     "                                    8     "        "       "     10    "     "                                    9     "        "       "     25    1.14  "                                    10    "        "       "     "     1.19  "                                    11    "        "       "     "     1.20  "                                    12    270      90      0     45    1.37  "                                    13    230      70      20    25    "     0.75                                 14    "        "       "     "     "     0.92                                 ______________________________________                                    

FIGS. 16 to 18 are graphs showing the relationship between the directionof the incident light and the reflectance obtained for panel Nos. 2, 7and 8, respectively, in Table 5, that is in the case where K=1.37 andonly the direction of the optical axis of the phase difference plate(θ13) was varied without changing the directions of absorption axis ofthe upper and lower polarizing plates. By examining these graphs, it isseen that the direction of the incident light in which a highreflectance (higher than about 5%) is obtained is related to thedirection of the optical axis of the phase difference plate. A highreflectance is obtained for θ13 (the angle between the observationdirection and the optical axis) in the range of from about +30° to about+60° and in the range of from about -30° to about -60°. In other words,it is possible to raise the reflectance and hence increase thebrightness by setting the optical axis of the phase difference plate atan angle in the range of from about +30° to about +60° or in the rangeof from about -30° to about -60° with respect to the observationdirection.

FIGS. 19, 20 and 21 are graphs showing the relationship between thedirection of the incident light and the reflectance obtained for panelsNos. 9, 10 and 11, respectively, in Table 5, that is, in the case wherethe value of K was varied. It is understood from these graphs that therelationship between the direction of the incident light and thereflectance depends on whether or not the value of K is smaller than1.20 and that when K is less than 1.20 the direction of the incidentlight in which a high reflectance is obtained is in the range of fromabout +60° to about +150° with respect to the optical axis. Thebrightness of the display can be increased by setting the optical axisof the phase difference plate at an angle θ13 in the range of from about+30° to about +120° with respect to the observation direction.

Similarly, the relationship between the direction of the incident lightand the reflectance was obtained under the panel conditions shown inTable 5. Table 6 shows the ranges of incident light within which a highreflectance (higher than about 5%) is obtained.

                  TABLE 6                                                         ______________________________________                                                               Ranges of angle  °! of                                  Ranges of angle  °! of                                                                optical axis of phase                                          incident light to optical                                                                    difference plate to                                            axis of phase difference                                                                     observation direction                                          plate within which high                                                                      within which high                                      Panel   reflectance (higher than                                                                     reflectance (higher than                               No.     about 5%) is obtained                                                                        about 5%) is obtained                                  ______________________________________                                        1       +30-+60, -30--60                                                                             +30-+60, -30--60                                       2       "              "                                                      3       "              "                                                      4       "              "                                                      5       "              "                                                      6       "              "                                                      7       "              "                                                      8       "              "                                                      9       +60-+150       +30-+120                                               10      "              "                                                      11      +30-+60, -30--60                                                                             +30-+60, -30--60                                       12      "              "                                                      13      "              "                                                      14      "              "                                                      ______________________________________                                    

The results shown in Tables 5 and 6 demonstrate that the relationshipbetween the direction of the incident light and the reflectance does notdepend on the absorption axes of the upper and lower polarizing plates,the twist angle or the value of Δn·d of the liquid crystal panel, butonly on the direction of the optical axis of the phase difference plateand the value of K.

Therefore to improve the reflectance of the liquid crystal displayhaving a reflector, and therefore the brightness, the direction of theoptical axis of the phase difference plate is determined as follows:

1. When the value of K is 1.20 or more, the optical axis of the phasedifference plate is disposed at an angle in the range of from about +30°to about +60° or in the range of from about -30° to about -60° withrespect to the observation direction, where the values of the angles arepositive when measured clockwise from the observation direction.

2. When the value of K is smaller than 1.20, the optical axis of thephase difference plate is disposed at an angle in the range of fromabout +30° to about 120° with respect to the observation direction,where the values of the angles are positive when measured clockwise fromthe observation direction.

Thus, the liquid crystal display device according to the presentinvention is arranged such that when the value of K of the phasedifference plate is 1.20 or more, the optical axis of the phasedifference plate is disposed at an angle in the range of from about +30°to about +60° or in the range of from about -30° to about -60° withrespect to the observation direction, whereas, when the value of K issmaller than 1.20, the optical axis of the phase difference plate isdisposed at an angle in the range of from about +30° to about +120° withrespect to the observation direction, thus improving the brightness ofthe liquid crystal display device.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those madeapparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained, andsince certain changes may be made in the above articles withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intendedthat all matter contained in the above description and shown in theaccompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended tocover all of the generic and specific features of the invention hereindescribed and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as amatter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of driving a liquid crystal displaydevice which includes a twisted nematic liquid crystal display celldefining a display screen having a rear edge as viewed from the user andincluding a pair of spaced apart opposed substrates with electrodesselectively disposed thereon and a nematic liquid crystal materialdisposed in the space between the substrates; a pair of polarizingplates disposed on opposite sides of the liquid crystal cell; at leastone layer of an optically anisotropic substance disposed between saidliquid crystal cell and one of said polarizing plates and serving as aphase difference plate; and a reflector disposed beneath the lower ofthe polarizing plates; the method comprising the steps of:selecting thevalue of k less than 1.20, wherein the value of the ratio k is the ratioof the product Δn1·d1, where Δn1 is the optical anisotropy and d1 is thethickness in the vertical direction of said phase difference plate, tothe product Δn2·d2, where Δn2 is the optical anisotropy and d2 is thethickness of said phase difference plate when inclined at 45° from thevertical direction of said phase difference plate in the direction ofthe optical axis; setting the optical axis of said phase differenceplate at a predetermined angle from about +30° to about +120° withrespect to the observation direction, the observation direction beingthe direction of the projection in the plane of the display screen ofthe direction from which a user of said display screen most frequentlyviews said display screen, where the values of these angles are positivewhen measured clockwise from the observation direction; and applying avoltage to said liquid crystal display device.
 2. The method as claimedin claim 1, wherein said display mode is a negative display mode.
 3. Themethod as claimed in claim 1, wherein said display mode is a positivedisplay mode.
 4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the screen isdark when no voltage is applied and bright when a voltage is applied tothe liquid crystal display device.
 5. The method as claimed in claim 1,wherein the screen is bright when no voltage is applied and dark when avoltage is applied to the liquid crystal display device.
 6. A liquidcrystal display device, comprising:a twisted nematic liquid crystaldisplay cell including a pair of spaced apart opposed substrates withelectrodes selectively disposed thereon and a twisted nematic liquidcrystal material disposed in the space between the substrates; a pair ofpolarizing plates disposed on opposite sides of the liquid crystal cell,one of which defines a display screen; and at least one layer of anoptically anisotropic substance disposed between the liquid crystal celland one of the pair of polarizing plates; the display screen having arear edge as viewed from a user and an observation direction which isboth in the plane of the display screen and substantially perpendicularto the rear edge thereof, the observation direction being the directionof the projection in the plane of the display screen of the directionfrom which a user of said display device most frequently views saiddisplay screen, the device being constructed and arranged to have aviewing angle with respect to the observation direction at which thedisplay will have acceptable contrast to accurately convey informationto a user, the angle between the direction of the optical axis of theoptically anisotropic substance layer and the observation direction ofthe display device being set at a predetermined angle to producesubstantially bilateral symmetry of the contrast distribution withrespect to the observation direction as the user moves in the directionof the viewing angle β between a projection of the direction of viewingby the user in the plane of the display screen and the observationdirection or in the direction of the viewing angle α between thedirection of viewing of the user and an axis perpendicular to theobservation direction and the plane of the display screen; and means forapplying a voltage to said liquid crystal display device.
 7. A liquidcrystal display device, comprising:a twisted nematic liquid crystaldisplay cell defining a display screen having a rear edge as viewed fromthe user and including a pair of spaced apart opposed substrates withelectrodes selectively disposed thereon and a nematic liquid crystalmaterial disposed in the space between the substrates; a pair ofpolarizing plates disposed on opposite sides of the liquid crystal cell;at least one layer of an optically, anisotropic substance disposedbetween said liquid crystal cell and one of said polarizing plates andserving as a phase difference plate; a reflector disposed beneath thelower of the polarizing plates, wherein the value of the ratio K of theproduct Δn1·d1, where Δn1 is the optical anisotropy and d1 is thethickness in the vertical direction of said phase difference plate, tothe product Δn2·d2, wherein Δn2 is the optical anisotropy and d2 is thethickness of said phase difference plane when inclined at 45° from thevertical direction of said phase difference plate in the direction ofthe optical axis, is set at a predetermined level, and the optical axisof said phase difference plane is disposed at a predetermined angle withrespect to the observation direction, said observation direction beingboth in the plane of the display screen and substantially perpendicularto the rear edge thereof, the observation direction being the directionof the projection in the plane of the display screen of the directionfrom which a user of said display device most frequently views saiddisplay screen, said predetermined angle being chosen in relation tosaid predetermined level of K such that the reflectance of said displayis substantially maximized; and means for applying a voltage to saidliquid crystal display device; wherein the value of K is greater than orequal to 1.20 and the predetermined angle at which the optical axis ofsaid phase difference plane is disposed with respect to the observationdirection is in the range from about +30° to about +60° or in the rangefrom about -30° to about -60°, wherein the values of these angles arepositive when measured clockwise from the observation direction.
 8. Aliquid crystal display device, comprising:a twisted nematic liquidcrystal display cell defining a display screen having a rear edge asviewed from the user and including a pair of spaced apart opposedsubstrates with electrodes selectively disposed thereon and a nematicliquid crystal material disposed in the space between the substrates; apair of polarizing plates disposed on opposite sides of a liquid crystalcell; at least one layer of an optically anisotropic substance disposedbetween said liquid crystal cell and one of said polarizing plates andserving as a phase difference plate; a reflector disposed beneath thelower of the polarizing plates, wherein the value of the ratio K of theproduct Δn1·d1, where Δn1 is the optical anisotropy and d1 is thethickness in the vertical direction of said phase difference plate, tothe product Δn2·d2, wherein Δn2 is the optical anisotropy and d2 is thethickness of said phase difference plane when inclined at 45° from thevertical direction of said phase difference plate in the direction ofthe optical axis, is set at a predetermined level, and the optical axisof said phase difference plane is disposed at a predetermined angle withrespect to the observation direction, said observation direction beingboth in the plane of the display screen and substantially perpendicularto the rear edge thereof, the observation direction being the directionof the projection in the plane of the display screen of the directionfrom which a user of said display device most frequently views saiddisplay screen, said predetermined angle being chosen in relation tosaid predetermined level of K such that the reflectance of said displayis substantially maximized; means for applying a voltage to said liquidcrystal display device; and wherein the value of K is less than 1.20 andthe predetermined angle at which the optical axis of said phasedifference plane is disposed with respect to the observation directionis from about +30° to about +120°, where the values of these angles arepositive when measured clockwise form the observation direction.